MANATEE COUNTY, FLORIDA — Florida Highway Patrol has released dashcam video of the fatal hit-and-run crash on Interstate 75 in Manatee County that killed a semi-truck driver Monday morning, as troopers intensify their search for the driver of a black Ford Mustang who fled the scene after triggering a chain reaction crash that flipped a tractor-trailer across all lanes of the highway.
The video shows the Mustang making multiple unsignaled lane changes before abruptly cutting into the center lane occupied by a Chevy Trailblazer. The front right of the Mustang struck the front left of the Chevy, sending it into the rightmost lane where it struck the cab of the tractor-trailer on the driver’s side door. The tractor-trailer veered left across all interstate lanes and flipped partially upside down in front of the Mustang. The Mustang briefly stopped before the driver steered around the overturned truck through the grass alongside the interstate and fled southbound on I-75.
The semi-truck driver, a 34-year-old man from New Smyrna, was killed in the crash. The driver of the Chevy Trailblazer, a 63-year-old man from Palmetto, sustained minor injuries. The crash occurred at approximately 6:28 a.m. near Exit 220 on I-75 South close to State Road 64. All lanes of I-75 southbound reopened around 12:30 p.m. after a six-hour closure.
FHP has also released images of the suspect vehicle — a black Ford Mustang with rear louvers and possibly a stick camera on the rear. The driver is described as a male with a stocky build who was wearing a gray hoodie at the time of the crash.
Troopers are asking anyone with information or video of the incident to contact FHP by dialing *347 or submit an anonymous tip to Manatee County Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS or ManateeCrimeStoppers.com.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dDCsD5BiXg
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